Steam pressing machine



Dec. 29, 1953 w. GOLDMAN 2,663,954

STEAM PRESSING MACHINE Filed July 3, 1948 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 E m I 7-7;; 00 b! a 8 INVENTOR.

WILLIAM GOLDMAN ATTO R N EY Dec. 29, 1953 w. GOLDMAN 2,663,954

STEAM PRESSING MACHINE Filed July 3, 1948 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNVENTOR.

WILLIAM GOLDMAN ATTORNEY Dec. 29, 1953 w. GOLDMAN 2,663,954

STEAM PRESSING MACHINE Filed July 3, 1948 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 98 FBI-7 INVENTOR.

WILLIAM G LD A ATTORNEY Dec. 29, 1953 W.-GOLDMAN STEAM PRESSING MACHINE Filea July :5, 1948 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 O h zue INVENTOR. WILLIAM GOLDMAN ATTORNEY Dec. 29, 1953 w. GOLDMAN 2,663,954

STEAM PRESSING MACHINE Filed July 5, 1948 10 Sheets-Sheet e INVENTOR. WILLIAM GOLDMA ATTORNEY Dec. 29, 1953 w. GOLDMAN 2,663,954

STEAM PRESSING MACHINE Filed July 3, 1948 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 WILLIAM GOLDMAN BY 3 I 2 ATTQRNEY Dc. 29, 1953 w, GQLDMAN 2,663,954

STEAM PRESSING MACHINE I 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed July 3, 1948 m \W A k INVENTOR.

WILLIAM GOLDMAN ATTORNEY 29, 1953 w, GQLDMAN 2,663,954

STEAM PRESSING MACHINE Filed July 5, 1948 10 Sheets-Sheet 1o lllllllllll WILLIAM GOLDMAN BYYI- ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 29, 1953 UNITED STATES PATEN T OFFICE 2,663,954 STEAM PRESSING MACHINE William Goldman, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application July 3, 1948, Serial N 0. 36,832

34 Claims.

My present invention relates to steam pressing machines.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a steam pressing machine which is opera-ble automatically with eificiency and uniformity, and in such manner as to perform its operation within a short period of time.

Another object is the provision of an automatic steam pressing machine which is operable with a high degree of safety and without requiring a highly skilled operator.

Another object is to provide a machine which operates automatically in a predetermined cycle under the control of a master motor and pushbutton or other manual means associated with said master motor for initiating the operation thereof.

Another object is the provision of an automatic steam pressing machine wherein the movable presser head although not provided with a heating means is prevented from accumulating moisture resulting from the condensation of steam which issues from the stationary buck during the pressing operation.

A further object is to provide a pressing machine which is particularly well adapted for, although not limited to, steam pressing knitted oods.

A further object is to provide a steam pressing machine which is highly flexible in the sense that the operator may perform various operations on the garments or other work with a considerable range of manual control of the machine operations.

Yet a further object is generally to provide an automatic steam pressing machine which is highly advantageous in the use thereof.

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of my invention will be fully understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which are to be considered as illustrative of the invention but not in limitation thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a front perspective view of a steam pressing machine embodying my present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 2-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side View of the machine;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a cover plate for the frame;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of parts of the frame on the line 55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view on the line 6-6 'of Fig. 4

Fig. 7 is a side view of the machine, various parts being omitted for purposes of illustration;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of parts of the machine with parts cut away for illustrative purposes;

Fig. 9 is a front view of the steam unit which includes the lower buck of the machine;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the steam the line iii-i l! of Fig-l4;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the master control motor and certain parts operated thereby;

Figs. 12 and 18 are perspective views which illustrate the pneumatically operated and corn trolled parts of the machine and certain parts associated therewith;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the steam system of the machine;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the latching device for the presser head of the machine;

Fig. 16 is a rear view of certain upper parts of the machine;

Fig. 17 is a horizontal View, partly in plan and partly in section, of certain parts of the machine, as viewed from line 57-! l of Fig. 14;

Figs. 18 and 19 are side views of the actuating mechanism for the main control valve, illustrating the operations of said mechanism;

Figs. 20 and 21 are sectional views of valves which are provided with the pneumatic system of the machine.

The automatic steam-pressing machine embodying the present invention comprising a stationary supporting frame which includes a stand ard l0 (Fig. 8) having a base l2 and a top l l on which the steam-presser unit 18 is supported and to which it is secured in any suitable way, as by bolts l8 (Fig. 9). Said unit is also supported by unit on the corner posts 2%. A front cover plate 22 and a side cover plates 2d are detachably secured to pairs of posts 20 by the clips 26 (Figs. 3, 4 and 5) which engage companion studs or pins 28 on the posts 2t. Figs. 4 and 6 illustrate the construction of the side plates 24 and it will be understood that front plate 22 is of the same construction as, but longer than, said side plates. Also, front plate 22 may be provided with the shelves 30. as shown.

The steam'presser unit it is preferably, but not necessarily, of the type shown in my U. S. Patent No. 1,915,821, granted to me June 27, 1933. Said unit, which is a metal casting, comprises a steam chest 3-2 and the lower or stationary buck 3d, the latter having a flat perforated plate secured thereto. The usual fluidpervious padding 38 is provided on buck 3d (Figs. 1 and 3). Steam under suitable pressure is supplied to chest 32 from a boiler or other suitable source (not shown) through a supply pipe 39 and the branch pipes 39a and 39b (Fig. i l) and a drain pipe or return (not shown) is provided, preferably as shown in said patent. Steam is supplied from chest 32 to buck 34 under the control of valves so and 22 (Figs. 10 and 14) which are connected to the fittings 44 and 45, respectively, by the companion connecting pipes 48 and 58. It will be apparent from Fig. 14, that fittings 44 and as are connected to the buck 34 at spaced points so as to provide a substantially uniform distribution of steam in said buck and from the latter to the garment or other article on which the steaming and pressing operations are performed. Control valves iil and 42 are spring closed and are opened by actuating rods 52 and 54, respectively. The latter are extended to the base of the machine for foot operation, as by the pedals G and 58 (Figs. 1, 3, '7, 8, 11 and 14), which are pivotally mounted on shaft 5 As will hereinafter more fully appear, valves 48 and 42 are also automatically operable pursuant to one of the objects of the present invention. 1

The machine is also provided with means for creating a partial vacuum in the buck for producing a flow of air for drying the garment following the steampressing operation, it being well understood that the drying air flows through the garment into buck 34 and from the latter usually by the operation of a fluid ejector under the control of a valve. The air flow also prevents the movable presser head, hereinafter described, from becoming wet, as subsequently specifically described herein. As shown in Fig. 14, the ejectors E2 and as are connected by a pipe 66 to the outlet of a control valve 58, the inlet of which is connected to steam chest 32 of unit it. Said ejectors are connected to buck 3 1 of said unit by the pipe in, branch pipes 72 and it, and fittings 44 and 55. It will be noted that steam pipes 48 and 53 are connected to nozzles iii which direct the steam from chest 32 upwardly into the buck 34 so that said steam does not pass through pipes i2 and it. Moreover, air is drawn into the buck as a result of the action of nozzles '15, and this has been found to be desirable. It will be readily understood that when valve 58 is opened, steam under pressure flows from chest 32 through ejectors E2 and 64 for operating the latter whereby to exhaust fluid from the buck 35 through fittings 44 and 48 for producing the air flow for the drying operation. It will be noted that fittings 44 and it are connected to the buck at spaced points so as to equalize the flow of air through the garment or other article. Control valve '58 is spring closed and is opened by actuating rod 76 which is extended to the baseoi the machine for operation by the pedal 73 which is pivotally mounted in the bracket 8i). As will hereinafter more fully appear, valve 63 is also operable automatically in proper timed relation in respect to valves 49 and 52 in the automatic operation of the latter as subsequently described herein. 1

The automatic operations of valves 68 and 2, and B8 are performed in proper sequence with the operation of the movable presser head 82 which will now be described.

The movable presser head 82 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) comprises a frame 84 which is preferably formed of wood and has on its lower surface a padding 86 secured in position removably in any suitable Way as by springs 88. Laterally spaced ribs 9!! are preferably provided and are carried by the 4 lower side of presser head 82, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, to allow a flow of air through said head, as will be readily understood. A porous cover 9! (Fig. 2) is provided on the top of frame 8d to permit air flow through head 52, and it will be understood that padding 86 including its cover is likewise sufiiciently porous to allow said air flow. As here shown, presser head 32 is not supplied with steam but it will be understood that it is within the scope of my invention to provide a presser head which has a steam chamber provided therein for the supply of steam therefrom, through the padding, to the garment as will be readily apparent. Said presser head 82 is preferably of substantially the same size and shape as buck 34 for complemental action with the latter and is mounted for pivotal movement in relation to said buck. More particularly, head 32 is pivotally movable forwardly from the retracted position shown in full lines in Fig. 3 to the projected position indicated in dotted lines, and in the reverse direction from said last mentioned position to said retracted position. These forward and reverse movements take place automatically during each operation of the machine, as will be subsequently described in sufhcient detail.

The pivotal mounting of presser head .82 comprises brackets 32 (Figs. 1, 3, l5 and 16) which are secured to the under side of unit iii adjacent the rear edge of the latter. Said brackets are provided with bearings 9 3 in which a shaft 56 is mounted for turning movement about its own axis. Arms 58 are rigidly fastened to said shaft and to the upper side of the presser head as so that the latter moves conjointly with shaft Qt. Said presser head is biased by its own Weight for movement from its retracted position to its projected position, and it is releasably held in said retracted position by means which will now be described. Said means comprises latching bars his and (G2 which are disposed at opposite sides of frame standard l0 and are connected to each other, for conjoint movement, by rigid cross memers Hi4 and [96, forming a latching frame. The rear ends ms and H0 (Fig. 15) of bars led and I82, respectively, extend upwardly and are pivotally mounted on a shaft H2 carried by arms Ht which are fixed to shaft 96. Bars 5&8 and 182 are each provided with a notch 1 it in which a companion catch-lug i l8, fixed to the adjacent side of standard it (Figs. 7 and 11), engages the companion latch bar for holding the latter against longitudinal movement and thus holding the presser head 82 in its retracted position. A spring I29 (Fig' 15) is connected at one end thereof to latch bar Hi2 for releasably holding the latter and the companion bar lot of the latching frame against catch lugs lit. The opposite end of the spring is anchored to a bracket I22. Bars IE8 and 82 are released from their latched engagement with companion catch-lugs H3 by raising the forward end of bar we so that the latter and bar IE2, which is connected thereto by cross members El i and 126, are pivotally moved on cross shaft H2 clockwise, viewing Fig. 11. When bars it!) and it? are disengaged from catch members H8, presser head e2 moves downwardly by gravity and said bars move rearwardly while slidably supported on said catch members. In the embodiment of the invention specifically disclosed herein, the weight of the presser head 82 and a spring I2 3 (Fig. 15) provide the pressure of the pressing operation on the garment, since the machine of this embodiment is intended primarily for imparting a comparatively light press to various garments, for example to sweaters or other knit goods which are desirably pressed lightly rather than under heavy pressure. Spring I2 is anchored at one end to stud I25 and is connected at its opposite end to a pin I21 on part of a subsequently described mechanism which is operatively connected to presser head 82 so that said head is tensioned when said head is in its projected position for increasing the pressure of the head against buck 35. If a lighter press is desired, spring I24 may be disconnected from pin I21. As shown in Figs. 7 and 15 the stud I 25 is provided with a plurality of holes I25a for the spring-attaching pin I251) so that the tension of said spring may be adjusted for the desired pressure. It will be understood, however, that it is within the scope of the present invention to embody the invention in a pressing machine with provision for exerting a positive force on presser head 82, in the pressing operation. It will be observed, however, that a desirable feature of the present embodiment of the invention is that the downward movement of presser head 82 by gravity, instead of by a positive force through pressure applying means, provides a safety feature because the weight of said head is low enough to prevent injury to the operator should the latter fail to remove his hand or fingers from the path of said presser head before releasing the latter from its latched, retracted position.

The presser head latching frame which, as above mentioned, includes bars Hit and I92 is preferably released by power operated means and the operation of the latter is preferably initiate by manually operable means. As here shown, said power operated means is a fluid-pressure motor I25 (Figs. 7, 8, 11 and 12) supplied with pressure fluid, preferably compressed air, from any suitable source. Motor I26 comprises a cylinder I28 which is fixed at its lower end to a bracket I33 pivotally mounted on a shaft I8I supported by a stationary bracket I32 (Figs. 7, 8 and 11). The pressure fluid is admitted to cylinder I28 at its lower end through inlet I3t beneath the piston I 36 (Fig. 12). The piston rod IE3 is slidable in a vertical guide member I48 carried by a bracket M2 (Fig. 11) fixed to standard It. A tappet I54 is fixed to piston rod I38 in position to engage the lower edge of latch bar ISII, when piston I36 is moved upwardly in cylinder I28, whereby to unlatch said bar and the companion bar I22 of the latching frame or device. The upward stroke is resiliently opposed by the springs I65 which are connected to shaft I3I and to the cross member I 4 8 which is fixed to piston rod I33, and. said springs furnish the power for the return stroke of the motor piston I36. An air port I50 is provided in the upper end of the cylinder to prevent back pressure on piston I36 when it is moved upwardly by fluid pressure and to prevent a vacuum or a partial vacuum in the cylinder above said piston when the latter is moved downwardly by springs I48.

Compressed air is admitted to cylinder I28 of motor I25 under the control of a two-way valve I52 (Figs. 1 and 12). A pipe IE I leads from the compressed air source (not shown) to an intermediate pipe IEIB which is connected to the inlet I as of valve I52. A pipe I62 is connected to the outlet IIBI of said valve and to the motor inlet I34 by branch pipe ISI'ia. A check valve I62 is provided in pipe I6Ila so as to prevent a reverse flow of air in pipe IEII. A by-pass pipe I64 provided with an adjustable valve I66 connects'inlet pipe I34 to the fitting I68 of pipe It'd. Referring to Fig. 20, valve I52 comprises the valve member I10 which is closed by the spring I12 and opened against said spring by the spindle I1 8 actuated by the push button I15 located at a convenient point at the front of the machine (Figs. 1 and 2). Valve I18 is pressed by spring I12 against valve seat I18 for closing the valve. When spindle I14 is moved inwardly, the inner end thereof engages valve stem I88 and moves valve member I1Ii from its seat allowing compressed air to fiow through passages I82 and from the latter to the valve outlet I3 I. The gland I83 is provided with exhaust ports I8 3 which are in communication with the outlet side of the valve, but these ports are closed by the auxiliary valve I86, which is mounted on spindle I14, when said spindle is moved inwardly sufficiently far to open valve member I18. When valve operating member I16 is released valve Us is closed against its seat by spring 512 and valve I86 is retracted from its seat to open the outlet ends of exhaust ports I86. It will be noted that the rate of fiuid flow for exhaust from motor I26 through valve I52 may be controlled by adjustment of valve I66; hence, the speed of the return stroke of piston I35 by the force of springs Hi6 may be controlled by adjustment of valve IE5. It will be understood that when valve member I18 of valve I52 is moved to its open position for the supply of compressed air to motor I26, the pressure is ample to raise piston I36 quickly, notwithstanding the presence of by-pass pipe I64 since valve member I closes ports I as when valve member I12 is in its open position.

For initiating the operation of motor I28, member I16 need be actuated only momentarily and should be released shortly after it is actuated by the operator of the machine to move valve member I18 to its open position, since only a short time, say a few seconds, is required for the piston I36 to complete its upward stroke in cylinder I28.

Provision is made for admitting live steam from steam chest 32 into the buck 31; as soon as presserhead 82 is near to its projected position upon release of the latching frame as described above. This is accomplished by the above mentioned automatic operation of steam valves 3'6 and 42 by the means and in the manner which will now be described. Referring to Figs. 11 and 14, it will be noted that valve rods 52 and 54 are interconnected for conjoint operation by a cross bar I88 which is disposed below the rear end portions of pedals 56 and '53 to which said rods are respectively fixed. Bar I86 is vertically movable between the guide pins 192. A vertical rod I92 is connected at its lower end Ids to bar I88 and is piovtally connected at its upper end to the lower end of a companion rod I96, as indicated at I98. A lever arm 268 is pivotally mounted at one end thereof on standard It! as indicated at 202, and the opposite end 2% of said arm has a lost motion connection with cross member I68 of piston rod I38 so that said end of the arm is engaged and raised by said cross member shortly after said rod starts to move upwardly. Lever arm 200 has a hole 2% through which rod I96 projects and the latter also projects through a hole in the fixed lug 263. Said lever arm is secured to rod I96 by a screw 22? (Fig. 7). A compression spring ZIG is interposed between lug 208 and the upper edge of arm 2%. Accordingly when arm 200 is raised by cross member I48, the

enema.

spring is compressed and said arm exerts suflicient force on rod 95 to lift the latter and thus raise rod 192 which in turn lifts bar I88 for raising valve rods 52 and 54 to open valves 40 and 42. The latter remain open until shortly before presser head 82 starts to move to its retracted position.

The means for moving said presser head to its retracted position will now be described. A shaft M2 is mounted in the bearing openings 214 of a bracket 23% fixed to the front of standard I (Figs. 7, 8 and 15). Lever arms 229 and 222 are fixed to shaft 212 (Figs. 15 and 1'?) and are connected to arms l i l by links 224 and 226, respectively, by the pivot pins 228 at arms 22%] and 222 and by the ivot pins 238 at the arms I it. Power operated means is provided for turning shaft 212 in the direction for raising said presser head. As here shown said power operated means comprises fluid pressure motive means which, for convenience, is constituted by two motors 232 and 23d operated in unison by compressed air under the control of a valve 235 which is in general similar to valve I52 but will be hereinafter specifically described. The motor cylinders 235 and 238 are pivotally mounted in the openings 25 9 of bracket 21s. The piston rods 252 and 254 are connected to a cross bar 258 which is connected to the outer ends of lever arms 258 the inner ends of which are fixed to shaft2i2 for turning the latter (Figs. 7, 12, 15 and 17). It will be observed that the lower ends of piston rods 252, 25 which are connected to bar or rod 25?; may turn around the latter as an axis as may be required in the turning of arms 25%.

Asstated above valve 235 controls the operation of motors 23 i and 233. The compressed air for operating said motors is supplied by pipe 555 and a pipe 233 which is connected to the inlet 261 of valve 23%. The outlet 262 of said valve is connected by piping 26d and branch pipes 256 and 258 to motors 234 and 235 above their respec tive pistons. A check valve 216 is provided in piping 25s for the same purpose as check valve E62 which is associated with valve 152 of motor Fit, as described above. A by-pass pipe 272 provided with an adjustable valve 214 is also provided for the same purpose as valved by-pass pipe i6 1 of motor 25, i. e., for exhausting air pressure from above the pistons of motors 232 and 232 at an adjustably regulated rate of flow following the operation of said motors by compressed air. It will be understood that the cylinder of motors 232 and 234 are provided with vent openings below the pistons for the same purpose as the vent opening it?) of motor I25. It may be noted that the piston return springs (its of motor mt) are not required for motors 23 i and 23% because the pistons of the latter are moved upwardly by shaft 212 when the latter is turned as a result of the lowering of the presser head 2 by gravity augmented by spring i242 as described above. It will be observed that adjustment of valve 211i determines the speed at which the preser head is lowered following the release of latch bars wt and 22 from their respective catch lugs i it, so that said motors also act as a dash pot. Valve 2m is therefore adjusted so as to cushion the downward movement of presser head 32 without, however, unduly retarding its downward movement.

As indicated above valve 235 is generally similar to valve 152. As illustrated in Fig. 21, valve 235 comprises a spring pressed valve member 23? which is spring-closed by spring 239. A spindle 8. 24! is provided with an auxiliary valve member 243 engageable with the seat 2&5 to close an exhaust passage formed by a plurality of grooves 241 in said spindle. A lever 249 pivoted on a bracket 25| at 253 is engageable with the outer end of spindle 24| for moving the latter inwardly to open valve 237 and simultaneously to close auxiliary exhaust valve 2&3. When lever 249 releases spindle 245, valve 23'! is closed by its spring 239 and valve 243 is opened.

Valve 235 is operated by and under the control of motor (25. For this purpose, a tappet 275 is fixed to piston rod (32 of said motor in position to engage valve operating lever 239 of valve 235 just before the end of the return or down stroke of rod I38 whereby to open valve 235, for the passage of compressed air from pipe 266 to piping 264 for moving the pistons of motors 232 and 234 downwardly, and to close the exhaust bores 24? of said valve. It will be understood that the down stroke or" the pistons of motors 232 and 235 is very rapid and occurs as soon as the piston I36 of motor [25 is close to the end of its down or return stroke. As soon as bar it!) of the latching device returns to its forward position, as a result of the raising of the presser head accomplished by the down stroke of the pistons of motors 232 and 23d, valve tappet 276 is raised slightly so as to release valve operating lever 22' whereby the valve is closed by its spring and the exhaust bore of said valve is opened. For this purpose, a member 217 (Figs. 7 and ll), here shown as a bell crank lever, pivoted at 2'58 on bracket 142a carried by bracket N32, is provided. One arm 2% of lever 211 is arranged under tappet M2 to engage the latter for raising rod I38 and thereby raising tappet 2th. The other arm 282 is positioned to be engaged by the forward free end of latch bar I86 when the latter moves to its forward position for re-setting of the latching device. The slight upward movement of tappet 2% thus accomplished by the engagement of bar :28 with member 217, is sufficient to allow the spindle of the valve to move to its open position so that air may exhaust through the valve bore as described above with reference to Fig. 21, and at the same time the internal movable valve member 231 of valve 235 is closed by its spring, thus interrupting the flow of compressed air from pipe 25!! through said valve.

As hereinbefore stated, the air-drying operation commences while the presser head 82 is still in its projected position and continues after said presser head starts to move to its retracted position. Said air-drying operation begins as soon as the supply of steam to the stationary buck 34 is interruptedunder the control of valves 48 and 62, and as a result presser head 82 is subjected to the drying action and is thus prevented from becoming unduly wet due to steam condensation on its padding 35. The air drying operation on the garments or other articles continues, after head 82 starts its retractive movement, for the suficient length of time required to dry such articles to the desired degree.

The means for automatically operating the valve $3 which controls the operation of ejectors 62 and 64 for the air-drying operation, referred to above, comprises a lever 28% (Figs. '7, l3 and 14) which is mounted for pivotal movement on a pivot member 288 carried by standard iii. Lever 286 has a worked end 298 which acts on collar 222 of rod 76 through an interposed spring 7 294 to open valve 58 against the closing spring of the latter. Power operated means, here shownas a fluid-pressure motor 296 operated, by compressed air, under the control of a valve 5211 and mechanism hereinafter described, is rovided for actuating lever 286. Motor 296 is supported from the under side of steam unit 15 (Fig. 7) by brackets 298 to which the strap 3% is pivotally connected at its opposite ends as indicated at 302.

Strap Silt is fastened to the top of the motor cylinder 322. The piston rod 326 is fixed to a strap 38% which is pivotally connected to a bracket 3H1 fixed to lever 285, said pivotal connection comprising a pivot rod 3 i2. A stop here shown as a post 3 I 3 is provided to limit the down movement of rod 305, the upper end of said post being in the path of movement of lever 286. Springs 312 are connected at their opposite ends to pivot pins 322 and pivot rod 3I2, respectively. Piston rod 396 is moved downwardly by fluid pressure, admitted to cylinder 304 above the piston through the pipe 3I6, to open valve 68; and said piston rod is moved upwardly by springs 3i 4 to allow said valve to be closed by its spring. An air vent opening, such as opening I50 of motor I25, is provided in cylinder 3M below the piston for the same purpose as said opening I58 of motor I25. The length of time during which valve 58 remains open is predetermined by adjustment of the valve 3I8 in the by-pass pipe 322 which is connected to the piping 322 which con- The mechanism for operating valve I524: will now be described, it being understood that said valve is of the same construction as valve 152 which controls the operation of the master motor I2o.' Referring to Figs. 11, 18 and 19, the valve operating mechanism comprises a cam 332 mounted for pivotal movement by a ivot pin 332 carried by a bracket 324 which is mounted on the underside of steam unit I6. Said cam has an edge 336 which is arranged to engage the valve spindle end or button 115a (Fig. 19) for opening the valve member to allow compressed air to pass from pipe 332 (Figs. 11 and 12) to pipe 322 for operating motor 298, the auxiliary valve 132a being then closed. Said cam is provided with a shoulder 320 on its upper edge releasably engageable by a roller 322 carried by tappet 215. The cam edge 32:3 allows the roller 342 to move upwardly without turning the cam when rod I38 is raised in the operation of motor i125. A stop 3% is carried by cam 339 in position to engage bracket 336 to limit the movement or" said cam in both directions. A spring 328 is connected at one end to a pin 3'55, carried by bracket 83-3, and at its opposite end to a pin 252 carried by cam 33s, the arrangement being such that said spring holds the cam releasably in either of its two positions shown by Figs. 13 and 19. In Fig. 18, the roller $22 is shown in engagement with the shoulder 34% and in this position rod I38 of motor I25 begins its down-stroke. In moving downwardly, rod ass causes roller 3 32 to move cam 33s to the position thereof shown in Fig. 19 for opening valve 552a to admit air into motor 296, as described above, and to close exhaust valve idea. The valve is held in this position by spring 358. During the down movement of rod I38, roller 3432 disengages cam 35% as shown by Fig. 19. During the up movement of rod E38 when roller 352 is in engagement with cam edge 3%,

rod I38 turns about its longitudinal axis, against the force of springs hit, so that roller 342 can follow the upwardly inclined edge 34%, and as soon as said roller clears the upper end of said edge at shoulder 32G, said springs turn rod I38 in the opposite direction to move roller 342 into its position over said shoulder as shown in Fig. 18. When rod I38 moves downwardly, a similar turning of said rod against springs I allows roller 342 to move on the shoulder 3 59 as soon as the cam has been moved by said roller to the valve-opening osition illustrated in Fig. 19. A rod 354 is connected to cam 338 for returning the latter to its valve released position so that valve i52a is closed for cutting off the supply of compressed air to motor 296 and for opening the exhaust valve 186a for the exhaust of air from pipe 322 during the return stroke of the piston of motor 296 by springs 2M. Rod 35 is actuated by an arm 35$ fixed to tappet M4. Accordingly when rod E38 reaches the end of its down stroke, arm 356 engages stop 358 on rod 352 and moves the latter downwardly for returning cam 333 to its starting position (Fig. 13) in which it is releasably held by spring 348. Arm 356 has a loose connection with rod 354! so that said arm can move upwardly without moving said rod.

Presser head 82 is provided with means to.

cushion the stop of said head when moved to its retracted position by motors 232, 232. For this purpose arms 3% are fixed to shaft 95 (Figs. 1, 3, and 15). As shown more clearly in Figs. 3 and 15, the arms 3% are provided at their free ends with spring bufiers 362 positioned to engage the underside of steam unit It. As hereinbefore pointed out, the stop of head 82 at the down movement thereof is cushioned pneumatically by the dash pot action of motors 222, 234 through adjustment of valve 214. Referring to Figs. 7, 13 and 14, it will be noted that a rod 364 is connected at its lower end to pedal I8 and passes through an opening 356 in lever 286 which is actuated by motor 2%. A spring 368 bears against lever 286 and against a stopnut 310 fixed to rod 384. When pedal I8 is actuated for opening valve 58, rod 35 moves upwardly through lever 285 without opposition by spring 368 and rod :5 similarly moves upwardly through said lever without opposition by spring 294. However, when lever 286 is operated by motor 293 for opening valve 68 for the drying operation, as described, springs 368 and 29 are both compressed and the forces of these springs are transmitted to valve opening rod 16, spring 362 acting indirectly on said rod through rod 364 and pedal It. It will be understood, however, that either spring may be omitted when the other is strong enough to lift rod It.

It will have been observed from the above description that motor I26 constitutes master power-operated means for controlling the operating cycle of the pressing machine, since said motor operates to unlatch the presser head 82 and controls the operation of valve 235 which, in turn, controls the operation of motors 234, 236, which raise the presser head, and valve I52a which controls motor 296 which operates valve 68 of the electors 52 and t l for the air-drying oper-.

ation.

In operating the machine for steaming and pressing a garment or other article, the latter is placed on the stationary buck 34, the presser head being latched in its raised position. Steam is admitted to buck 34 by manual operation of valves 40 and 22, foot pedals 55 and 58 being actuated for this purpose. The garment which is thus steamed and more pliable by this steam operation may be further arranged or adjusted on the buck so that it will be pressed smoothly when the presser head 82 is operated. After this preliminary manual operation is performed by the operator of the machine. manual control member W is operated to open valve 152 of motor $26 to initiate the operation of the latter. Member H6 is released by the operator almost immediately after it is actuated to open valve member ill! of valve lfitl, since piston 38 of said motor moves quickly upwardly and thus operates quickly to release the latch bars lei) and m2 of the latching device of the presser head 82 so that the latter can move by gravity to its projected position, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. Valves 4e and all are opened almost immediately by the engagement of cross member N58 with arm 260. Then on the downstroke of rod 136 valve as is operated by motor 295 under the control of valve Eliza for the drying operation which starts while presser head 82 is still in its down or projected position, valves id and d2 having closed in the meantime to out off the Supply of steam to the buck. When the downward movement of said rod is almost completed, tappet 273 engages the lever 249 of valve 235 for operating the latter. lhis operation of valve 235 results in the operation of motors 232', for raising the presser head to its retracted position. More particularly, when valve 235 is operated, piston rods 252, 2515 move downwardly and operate arms 258 of shaft 252 to turn the latter thereby operating arms :28, 222, links 221i, 225 and arms Hi! to turn shaft 86 in a clockwise direction, viewing Fig. 3, for raising the presser head to its retracted position. While head 82 is being raised, the latching frame is moved forwardly by arms lid and as soon as the bar we of the latching device reaches its forward position it engages member an which is thereby turned and engages tappet ltd to lift piston rod 38 sufficiently to release tappet 216 from valve lever 262, so that valve 235 is operated by the inner spring thereof to close the internal valve member and to open the outer end of the fluidexhaust bore whereby to interrupt the supply of air to motors 232, 236 and to allow the exhaust of air from said motors through their valve-controlled by-pass 212. ing cycle of the machine. It will be noted that if the main manual control member He is held in valve opening position, i. e., so that valve member I ill of valve 252 is held open, presser head 82 stays down, W ereby the pressing operation may be prolonged if that is desired by the operator of the machine. However, as soon as member lid is released, the automatic operation is automatically resumed and the cycle is completed as above described pursuant to the downward movement of piston rod i258 of motor 125.

It will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than as herein specifically shown or described and that in the illustrative embodiment various changes in the details of construction and in the arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the underlying idea or principles of my invention within the scope of the appended claims.

This application is a continuation in part of my application, Ser. No. 30,873, filed June 8, 1949 now abandoned.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A steam pressing machine, comprising a This completes the operat- U buck, a companion presser head'movable toward and away from said buck for the pressing operation, means including a valve for admitting steam into said buck, power-operated means for controlling the movement of said presser head toward and away from the buck and for controlling the operation of said valve in timed relation to the movements of said prcsser head, and manually operable means for controlling the opera tion of said power-operated means, said poweroperated means including a plurality of motors, one of said motors being operatively connected to said presser head for moving the latter, means for controlling the operation of said one motor, another of said motors being operatively con= nected to said valve, and means operable by said latter motor for actuating the controlling means of said one motor in timed relation with the operation of said valve by said latter motor, said manually operable means being operatively connected to said latter motor for controlling the operation thereof.

2. A steam pressing machine, comprising a buck, a companion presser head movable toward and away from said buck for the pressing operation, said presser head being pivotally mounted for said movement thereof, releasable latching means for releasably holding said presser head in a retracted position in relation to said buck, means biasing said presser head when in said retracted position for movement toward the buck, means for releasing said latching means, and time-delay means operating in opposition to said biasing means and operatively connected to said presser head for controlling the speed of movement of the latter toward the bucl; when said latching means is released.

3. A steam pressing machine, comprising a buck, a companion presser head movable toward and away from said buck for the pressing operation, means operatively connected to said presser head for moving the latter away from the buck to a retracted position comprising a motor having a piston operable by fluid pressure and a valve operable to admit pressure .fluid to the motor to move said piston, and motive means having a predetermined cycle of operation, said motive means being engageable with said valve to operate said valve in timed relation to said cycle, whereby said presser head is moved to said rctracted position in timed relation with said cycle of said motive means.

4. A steam pressing machine, comprising a buck, a companion presser head movable toward and away from said buck for the pressing operation, means for controlling said movement of the presser head comprising a motor including a cylinder and a piston movable therein and operatively connected to said presser head for moving the latter away from said buck, a check valve operable to admit pressure iiuid into said cylinder for moving said piston in one direction to move the presser head away from said buck, and fluid exhaust means connected to by-pass said valve, said by-pass means including an adjustable valve for exhausting said fluid from said cylinder at a controlled rate of flow for con trolling the speed of movement of said piston in the opposite direction, whereby to control the speed of movement of said presser head towards said buck.

5. A steam pressing machine, comprising a buck, a companion presser head movable toward and away from an operative position in relation to said buck for the pressing operation, said buck and presser head'having cooperating air pervious surfaces adapted to receive therebetween an article to be pressed, means including a valve for admitting steam into said buck and through the latter for the steaming operation, said buck having means for inducing a flow of air by suction, through said presser head and through said buck while the presser head is in its operative position, said latter means including a valve for permitting the steam to flow out of said buck and means operatively connected to said presser head and to said valves and operable automatically in timed relation to said movement of the presser head first to actuate said valves in predetermined timed relation to admit steam to the buck before the presser head arrives at its operative position and to out off said steam and institute said suction before the presser head moves from its operative position. ,l

6. A steam pressing machine, comprising a buck, a companion presser head movable toward and away from an operative position in relation to said buck for the pressing operation, said buck and presser head having cooperating air pervious surfaces adapted to receive therebetween an article to be pressed, means including a valve for admitting steam into said buck and through the latter for the steaming operation, said buck having means for inducing a flow of air by suction through said presser head and through said buck while the presser head is in its operative position, said latter means including a valve for permitting the steam to flow out of said buck and manually controlled power operated means operatively connected to said presser head and to said valves for controlling said movement of the presser head and the actuation of said steamadmitting means and said airflow inducing means in predetermined timed relation to admit steam to the buck before the presser head arrives at its operative position and to cut ofi said steam and institute said suction before the presser head moves from its operative position.

7. A steam pressing machine, comprising a buck, a companion presser head movable toward and away from an operative position in relation to said buck for the pressing operation, said buck and resser head having cooperating air pervious surfaces adapted to receive therebetween an article to be pressed, means including a valve for admitting steam into said buck and through the latter for the steaming operation, means including a valve for inducing a flow of air by suction through said presser head and through said buck while the presser head is in its operative position, power-operated means operatively connected to said presser head and to said valves for controlling the movement of said presser head toward and away from the buck and for controlling the operation of said valves in timed relation to the movements of said presser head to admit steam to the buck before the presser head arrives at its operative position and to cut off said steam and institute said suction before the presser head moves from its operative position, and manually operable means for controlling operation of said power-operated means, said power-operated means including a plurality of motors, said manually operable means being operatively connected to one of said motors for controlling said one motor directly and another of said motors having controlling means operable by said one of the motors, whereby said motors are operable in predetermined timed relation to effect said operation of said valves in timed relation to the movements of said presser head.

8. A steam pressing machine comprising a stationary buck, a companion presser head mounted for pivotal movement from a retracted position to an operative position in relation to said buck, releasable latching means for releasably holding said presser head in said retracted position, means for releasing said latching means whereby to release said presser head for said movement thereof from said retracted position to said operative position thereof, a fluid-pressure motor including a piston operatively connected to said latch-releasing means and operable in one direction to actuate said latch-releasing means, a manually operable valve for controlling the admission of pressure fluid to said motor to operate said piston in said direction, means for moving said piston in the opposite direction to return said'piston to its starting position and to retract said latch-releasing means whereby the latching means can be re-set, adjustable time delay means in the fluid-exhaust line of said motor for predetermining the time of movement of said piston in said opposite direction, means operatively connected to said presser head for moving said presser head from said operative position to said retracted position thereof, and means provided on said piston and disposed relative to said presser head moving means to actuate the latter on said return movement of said piston for effecting said retracted movement of said presser head.

9. A steam pressing machine comprising a stationary buck, a companion presser head mounted for pivotal movement from a retracted position to an operative position in relation to said buck, releasable latching means for releasably holding said presser head in said retracted position, means for releasing said latching means whereby to release said presser head for said movement thereof from said retracted position to said operative position thereof, a fluid-pressure motor including a piston operatively connected to said latch-releasing means and operable in one direction to actuate said latch-releasing means, a manually operable valve for controlling the admission of pressure fluid to said motor to operate said piston in said direction, means for moving said piston in the opposite direction to return said piston to its starting position and to retract said latch-releasing means whereby the latching means can be re-set, adjustable time-delay means in the fluid-exhaust line of said motor for predetermining the time of movement of said piston in. said opposite direction, and means operatively connected to said presser head for moving said presser head, from said operative position to said retracted po ition, said last mentioned means being actuated by said piston on return movement thereof for effecting said retracted movement of said presser head, said latching means being movable with said presser head and automatically re-set by said moverlient of he presser head to its retracted position.

10. A steam pressing machine comprising a stationary buck, a companion presser head mounted for pivotal movement from a retracted position to an operative position in relation to said buck, releasable latching means for releasably holding said presser head in said retracted position, means for releasing said latching means whereby to relea e said presser head for said movement thereof from said retracted position to said operative position thereof, a fluid-pressure motor including a piston operatively connected to said latch-releasing, means and operable in one direction to actuate said latch-releasing means, a manually operable valve for controllingthe admission of pressure fluid to said motor to operate said piston in said direction, means for moving said piston in the opposite direction to return said piston to its starting position and to retract said later -releasing means whereby the latching means can be re-set, adjustable time-delay means in the fluid-exhaust line of said motor for predeteri ining the time of movement of said piston in said opposite direction, and means operatively connected, to said presser head for moving said presser head from said operative position to said retracted position, said last mentioned means being actuated by said piston on said return movement thereof for effecting said retracted movement of said p-re-sser head, said latching means being movable with said presser head and automatically reset by said movement of the presser head to its retracted position, said means for moving the presser head to its retracted position comprising a fluid-pressure motor operatively connected to said presser head and a valve for controlling the admission of pressure fluid to said latter motor for operating the latter to retract the presser head, said latter valve being actuated by said piston of said first mentioned motor on the return movement thereof.

11. A steam pressing machine, comprising a stationary buck and a companion presser head mounted for movement in relation to said buck to retracted and operative positions, valve controlled means for supplying steam to said buck for the pressing operation, valve controlled means for inducing a flow of air into said buck through the upper surface thereof, means 'to actuate the valve of said steam supplying means to admit steam into said buck. and to interrupt the supply of steam to said buck, and manually controlled power operated means for operating the valves of said valve-controlled means in timed relation, first to admit steam. into the buck and then to induce said flow of air into the buck through said upper surface thereof, said power operated means including a first motor operatively connected to the valve of said steam supply means, a second motor operatively connected to the valve of said air-flow inducing means, and means operatively interconnecting both of said motors for controlling the operation of said second motor, said interconnecting means beins operable by said first motor, whereby the valve of said airflow inducing means operates in timed relation to the valve of said steam supply means.

12. A steam pressing machine, comprising a stationary buck and a companion presser head mounted for movement in relation to said buck to retracted and operative positions, valve controlled means for supplying steam to said buck, valve controlled means for inducing a flow of air into said buck through the upper surface thereof, means to actuate the valve of said steam supplying means to admit steam into said buck and to interrupt the supply of steam to said buck, means to actuate the valve of said air-flow inducing means, and manually controlled power operated means-for operating the valves of said valve-controlled means in timed relation, first to admit steam into the buck and, then to induce said flow of air into the buck through said upper surface thereof, said power operated means comprising a fluid-actuated piston having a rod provided with a pair of spaced tappets, one of said tappets op- 16 crating the means which actuatev the steam supply valve for opening the latter, and another of said tappets operating the means which actuate the air-flow valve for opening said last mentioned valve.

13. A steam pressing machine, comprising a stationary buck and a companion presser head mounted for movement in relation to said bucl: to retracted and operative positions, valve ccntrolled means for supplying steam to said buck, valve controlled means for inducing a now of air into said buck through the upper surface thereof, means to actuate the valve of said steam supplying means to admit steam into said buck and to interrupt the supply of steam to said buck, means to actuate the valve of said air-flow inducing means, and manually controlled power operated means for operating the valves of said valve-controlled means in timed relation, first to admit steam into the buck and then to induce said flow of air into the buck through said upper surface thereof, said power operated means comprising a fluidactuated piston having a rod provided with tappets which operate said valve to open the same, said tappets being disposed to operate the means which actuate the steam supply valve and the means which actuate the air-flow valve so that the valve of said steam-supplying means is opened when said rod moves in one direction to operate the actuating means therefor and the valve of said air-flow inducing means is opened when said rod moves in the opposite direction to operate the actuating means for the latter valve.

14. In a steam pressing machine having a steam unit including a steam chest and a buck with a valved connection between said chest and said buck for the passage of steam from said chest to said buck, and having steam operated ejector means for inducing a flow of air into said buck through the upper surface of the latter for drying the article after the pressing operation thereon, and having a valved connection from said chest to said ejector means for the passage of steam from the chest to said ejector means for operating the latter; the combination with the valves of said first mentioned and last mentioned connections of means operabl automatically for opening said valves in predetermined timed relation, said automatically operable means comprising means including a first motor operatively connected to the valve of said first mentioned connection for controlling the operation thereof, a second motor operatively connected to the valve of said second mentioned connection, and means operatively interconnecting both of said motors for controlling the operation of said second motor, said interconnecting means being operable by said first motor, whereby the valve of said second-mentioned connection operates in timed relation to the valve of said first mentioned connection and an air-pervious presser head movable to and from an operative position in relation to the buck, for the pressing operation, said flow of air passing through said head and into the buck when said head is in said operative position thereof.

15. In a steam pressing machine having a steam unit including a steam chest and a buck with a valved connection between said chest and said buck for the passage of steam from said chest to said buck, and having steam operated ejector means for inducing a. flow of air into said buck through the upper surface of the latter for thereon, and having a valved connection from 17 said chest to said ejector means for the passage of steam from the chest to said ejector means for operating the latter; the combination with the valves of said first mentioned and last mentioned connections of means operable automatically for opening said valves in predetermined timed relation, said automatically operable means comprising means including a first motor operatively connected to the valve of said first mentioned connection for controlling the operation thereof, a second motor operatively connected to the valve of said second mentioned connection and means operatively interconnecting both of said motors for controlling the operation of said second motor, said interconnecting means being operable by said first motor, whereby the valve of said second- 'mentioned connection operates in timed relation to the valve of said first-mentioned connection and an air-pervious presser head movable to and from an operative position in relation to the buck, for the pressing operation, said flow of air passing through said head and into the buck when said head is in said operative position thereof, and means operatively connected to said presser head for controlling the movement of said head to and from said operative position thereof, said last mentioned means including a third motor, and means operatively interconnecting said first and third motors for controlling the operation of said third motor, said interconnecting meansbeing operable by said first motor.

16. A pressing machine comprising relatively movable pressing members having cooperating air pervious surfaces adapted to receive therebetween an article to be pressed, means including a valve for admitting steam into one of said members and through said one member for the steaming operation, means operatively connected to said steam admitting means for inducing a flow of air by suction into said one member upon said admission of steam thereto, and said one member having means for inducing a flow of air by suction through said other member while said members are in pressing disposition, said latter means including a valve for permitting steam to flow out of said one member, through said operatively connected means.

17. A pressing machine comprising relatively movable pressing members having cooperating air pervious surfaces adapted to receive therebetween an article to be pressed, means including a valve for admitting steam into oneof said members and through said one member for the steaming operation, means operatively connected to said steam admitting means for inducing a flow of air by suction into said one member upon said admission of steam thereto, and said one member having means for inducing a flow of air by suction through said other member while said members are in pressing disposition, said latter mean including a valve for permitting steam to flow out of said one member, through said operatively connected means, said operatively connected means including ejector means through which air flows into said one member upon said admission of steam thereto, steam flowing from said last mentioned valve through said ejector means for inducing said air flow through said other member.

18. In an automatic steam pressing machine comprising relatively movable companion presser members at least one of which has a steam chamber and a fluid pervious pressing surface for the passage of steam from said chamber through said surface and for the passage of air through said surface into said chamber, for respectively steaming and drying the article which is pressed between said members in the operation of the machine, a first normally closed valve for controlling the supply of steam into said chamber, and means operable under the control of a second normally closed valve for withdrawing steam and air from said chamber and thereby causing air to flow into the chamber through said pervious surface; first power actuated means operatively connected to said first valve for opening the latter to admit steam to said steam chamber for said steaming operation, second power actuated means operable to open said second valve to withdraw steam and air from said chamber for the drying operation, and control means operatively interconnecting both of said power means, said interconnecting means being operable by said first power means, whereby said second power means is actuated under the control of said first power means and means operatively connected to one of said presser members for move ing the latter toward and away from said other presser member. I

19. A steam pressing machine as defined by claim 18, in which said presser member moving means includes a fluid-pressuremotor which also provides the power for said power actuated mean for opening said second valve.

20. A steam pressing machine as defined by claim 18, in which said second power-actuated means includes a fluid-pressure motor having a control valve which is actuated through the medium of said control-means under the control of said first power actuated means and in which said fluid-pressure motor actuates said second valve to open the latter, whereby said second power actuated means and said second valve. are operated in timed relation to the operation of said first power actuated means.

21. A steam pressing machine as defined by claim 18, in which said second power-actuated means includes a fluid-pressure motor having a control valve which is actuated through the medium of said control meansv under thecontrol of said first power actuated means and in which said fluid-pressure motor actuates said second valve to open the latter, whereby said second power actuated means and said second valve are operated in timed relation to the operation of said first power actuated means, and wherein said first power actuated means includes a fluid pressure motor having a manually operable control valve.

22. A steam pressing machine as defined by claim 18, wherein said presser member moving means includes a first fluid-pressure motor having a manually operable valve, a secondfiuidpressure motor having a control valve actuated through the medium of said control means under the control of said first motor, and wherein said first and second power actuated means comprise said first and second motors, respectively.

23. A steam pressing machine comprising a buck, a companion presser head movable toward and away from said buck for the pressing operation, first power-operated means for controlling the movement of said presser head toward and away from the buck, a valve for admitting steam into said buck, second power-operated means for controlling the operation of said valve, and means operatively interconnecting both of said power-operated means for controlling the operation of said first power-operated means, said interconnecting means being operable by said sec 19 end power-operated means, whereby said valve is operable in timed relation to the movements of said presser head.

24.. A steam pressing machine comprising a buck, a companion presser head movable toward and away from said buck for the pressing operation, first power-operated means for controlling .the movement of said presser head toward and away from the buck, a valve for admitting steam into said buck, second power-operated means for controlling the operation of said valve, and means operatively interconnecting both of said power-operated means for controlling the operation of said first power-operated means, said interconnecting means being operable by said second power-operated means,whereby said valve is operable in timed relation ,to the movements of said presser head, and manually operable means operatively connected to said second power-operated means for controlling the operation thereof.

25. A steam pressing machine comprising a buck, a companion presser head movable toward and away from said buck for the pressing operation, first power-operated means for controlling the movement of said presser head toward and away from the buck, a valve for admitting steam into said buck, second power-operated means for controlling the operation of said valve, and means operativelyinterconnecting both of said power-operated means for controlling the operation of said first power-operated means, said interconnecting means being operable by said second power-operated means, whereby said valve is operable in timed relation to the movements of said presser head, releasable latching means for releasably holding said presser head in position away from said buck, and means for releasing said latching means whereby to release said presser head for movement toward said buck, said releasing means being operatively connected to said second power-operated means for operation thereby.

26. A steam pressing machine comprising a buck, a companion presser head movable toward and away from said. buck for the pressing operation, first power-operated means for controlling the movement of said presser head toward and away from the buck, a valve for admitting steam into said buck, second power-operated means for controlling the operation of said valve, and means operatively interconnecting both of said poweroperated means for controlling the operation of said first power-operated means, said interconnecting means being operable by said second power-operated means, whereby said valve is operable in timed relation to the movements of said presser head, releasable latching means for releasably holding said presser head in position away from said buck, and means for releasing said latching means whereby to release said presser head for movement toward said buck, said releasing means being operatively connected to said second power-operated means for operation thereby, and manually operable means operatively connected to said second power-operated means for initiating the operation thereof.

27. A steam pressing machine comprising a stationary buck, a companion presser head mounted for pivotal movement from a retracted position to an operative position in relation to said buck, releasable latching means for releasably holding said presser head in said retracted position, said latching means comprising a latch member operatively connected to said presser '20 head for linear movement therewith in one direction when said presser head moves to said retracted position thereof, and a stationary catch member disposed in the path of movement of said latch member in said one direction for releasable engagement thereby.

28. In a steam pressing machine having a steam unit including a steam chest and a buck with a valved connection between said chest and said buck for the passage of steam from said chest to said buck, and having steam operated ejector means for inducing a flow of air into said buck through the upper surface of the latter for drying the article after the pressing operation thereon, and having a valved connection from said chest to said ejector means for the passage of steam from the chest to said ejector means for operating the latter; the combination with the valves of said first mentioned and last mentioned connections of means operable automatically for opening said valves in predetermined timed relation, said automatically operable means comprising means including a first motor operatively connected to the valve of said first mentioned connection for controlling the operation of the valve of said first mentioned connection, a second motor operatively connected to the valve of said second mentioned connection, and means operatively interconnecting both of said motors for controlling the operation of said second motor, said interconnecting means being operable by said first motor, whereby the Valve of said second-mentioned connection operates in timed relation to the valve of said first mentioned connection.

29. A steam pressing machine comprising a buck, a companion presser head movable toward and away from said buck for the pressing operation, means operatively connected to said presser head for moving the latter away from the buck to a retracted position comprising fluid motor means and a valve operable to admit pressure fiuid to the motor to move the presser head, motive means having a predetermined cycle of operation, said motive means acting upon said valve to operate the latter in timed relation to said cycle, whereby said presser head is moved to said retracted position in timed relation with said cycle of said motive means, said buck being air pervious, and means operable by said motive means for inducing a fiow of air through said buck in timed relation to said cycle whereby said air flow is in timed relation to the movement of said presser head.

30. A steam pressing machine comprising a buck, a companion presser head movable toward and away from said buck for the pressing operation, means operatively connected to said presser head for moving the latter away from the buck to a retracted position, motive means having a predetermined cycle of operation, means operatively inter-connected between said presser head moving means and said motive means and operable by the latter for operating said presser head moving means in timed relation to said cycle, said buck being air pervious, and means operable by said motive means for inducing a flow of air through said buck in timed relation to said cycle whereby said air fiow is in timed relation to the movement of said presser head.

31. A steam pressing machine comprising a buck, a companion presser head movable toward and away from said buck for the pressing operation, means operatively connected to said presser head for moving the latter away from the buck to a retracted position, said buck being air pervious 

